West · MT
The Treasure State
How to get an apostille in Montana
In Montana, apostilles are issued by the Montana Secretary of State — Notary & Certification Services (Apostilles). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Montana apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Helena
- Governor (2026)
- Greg Gianforte
- State flower
- Bitterroot
- State bird
- Western Meadowlark
Apostille signed by Montana Secretary of State — Notary & Certification Services (Apostilles)
Step-by-step: an apostille in Montana
- 01
Confirm the document is Montana-issued or notarized by a Montana notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Montana Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Office of Vital Statistics).
- 04
Complete the apostille request and identify the destination country.
- 05
Submit by mail or in person with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
- 06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.
Montana apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Montana Secretary of State — Notary & Certification Services (Apostilles) |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Helena. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Montana Secretary of State, Notary & Certification Services, in Helena (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Montana
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
- Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
- Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
- Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
- Commercial and export documents
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by Montana.
Specimen
What a Montana apostille looks like
A Montana apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Montana Secretary of State — Notary & Certification Services (Apostilles) as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by Montana Secretary of State — Notary & Certification Services (Apostilles)
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Montana apostille FAQ
- How do I get an apostille in Montana?
- Have your document notarized or certified, then submit it to the Montana Secretary of State's Notary & Certification Services with the fee and destination country.
- Does Montana offer in-person apostille service?
- Yes. In-person service is available in Helena. Confirm hours and requirements on the official page.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Montana apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Montana Secretary of State — Notary & Certification Services (Apostilles) via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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